Campeonato Brasileiro preview round 6

Brazil are in action versus Paraguay on Sunday. So, this weekend our only game is league leaders Flamengo against current champions, São Paulo.

Many pundits believed that Fla’s title hopes evaporated when Joel Santana left to take over South Africa just before the start of the Brasileiro.

But Caio Júnior’s team have dropped only two points from a possible fifteen so far this season, and Flamengo have a 100% record at home having knocked in a total of 10 goals past Santos, Internacional and Figueirense.

This good run is a continuation from 2007 and you have to go back to October of that year for Fla’s last defeat in the estádio Maracanã (0x2 vs Fluminense in case you were wondering).

Despite the fact we’re only six rounds into the new campaign, Caio Júnior has already said that this is a match that Flamengo have to win.

The coach believes that even though São Paulo have got off to a terrible start by their standards, the Morumbi outfit remain a serious threat.

São Paulo are already 7 points behind Flamengo. But while this might be an almost insurmountable number in some leagues, it is not so in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Interestingly, Flamengo were the only side that São Paulo failed to score against in the competition last year (0x0 in the Morumbi, 1×0 in the Maracanã).

Both sides put 5 goals past the opposition in round 5.

Fla walloped strugglers Figueirense 5×0. São Paulo clocked up only their first win of the season after seeing off Atlético Mineiro 5×1.

While the win looked impressive, it rather flattered São Paulo. The finishing was excellent, but São Paulo were playing against an average side missing 5 first-teamers.

Muricy Ramalho’s team have yet to win away from home. They drew their opener at Atlético Paranaense 1×1, and then in a dire game at the Vila Belmiro, São Paulo put us all to sleep after a 0x0 match with Santos.

Flamengo are at full-strength. São Paulo are without Hernanes and Adriano, who are on international duty with Brazil. Richarlyson is back from suspension but may start on the bench.

Goal average: 2.5 – five 0x0s – all in the Morumbi

Ones to watch: Fla’s Marcinho has been in great form. Ex São Paulo man, Diego Tardelli has a point to prove. São Paulo’s André Dias and Miranda have been outstanding. Also look out for the incredible collapsing-man, Aloísio.